Disappearances probe confirms 1,350 cases, may surpass 3,500

Disappearances probe has confirmed 1,350 cases and anticipates the figure of missing to surpass 3,500-many having no hope of return, officials say.

According to the second interim report of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, the intelligence wing of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) came out to be the main perpetrator behind the killings following enforced disappearances during the tenure of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Led by former Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, the commission submitted the report Wednesday to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, briefed the press on the main features of the report. He quoted the probe report as saying: "The RAB intelligence wing operated essentially as a killing force. The report documents how individuals were forcibly disappeared and later killed during the Hasina regime."

The report paints a chilling picture of the systematic abductions and killings allegedly orchestrated during the previous administration, often targeting political dissidents, activists and civilians.

According to the press briefing, the Commission has verified 1,350 cases of enforced disappearances so far, while a total of 1,850 complaints have been received. Alarmingly, over 300 victims remain unaccounted for. The commission anticipates the cases to surpass 3,500 as investigations continue.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com